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Tommy Holmes : The Gig Hollywood
Within forty-five seconds or so of this band stepping out on stage and playing the only thought that was going through my mind was "Do they have a CD and when can I get it?"
Tommy Holmes (vocals, guitar) and his band; Ty Stevens (guitar), Eric Stegin (keyboard, backing vocals), Dan Lutz (bass, backing vocals), Roger Johnson (percussion) and Karma Auger (drums), played with all the ease and talent of veteran performers.
This band is tight but not so tight as to sound over-rehearsed. They play with the assuredness and togetherness one finds in bands that have been together for years. Learning the ins and outs of one's fellow artist's idiosyncrasies onstage usually takes a long time. This project has been in existence for nine months, nine months! The idea that was conceived in the mind of Holmes and guitarist Ty Stevens has gestated into a beautiful, healthy child with all the promise in the world.
One of the songs they played was "Rain." Virtually epic in its storytelling and emotion, the music brings you right up to the edge of the precipice but catches you before you plummet.
The band introduced and new song, "Supergirl." I can't tell you what the song was about because all that it made me think of was the nicknames my best friend and I have for each other - Supergirl and Batgirl. To sit in a club in Los Angeles and have thoughts of my good friend in MA come over me is good enough for me. Besides, to quote Tommy, "I believe the listener paints their own picture... I don't want to alter anyone's experience [by printing lyrics]... "So thank you for that picture."
The interaction with the audience helped all in the club feel a little more part of the performance as a whole. The entire show was interspersed with lovable and somewhat... libidinous anecdotes. The one that introduced the song "White Trash" was particularly enjoyable, as was the song.
Another wonderful tongue-in-cheek tune was "Naked on the Internet." Only in this day and age, with this band, could a song about seeing a friend's girlfriend naked on the internet be so damn good.
The closing song "It Ain't Over Yet" seized every audience member with its clear, strong vocals and a melody that grabbed a hold and wouldn't let go. In response to the line in the song "what lies ahead, God only knows," I'd have to say that I know too. At least, what lies ahead for this band.
See Tommy Holmes now in the smaller clubs if you want to get a close up show. There will come a time, and I doubt it's too far away, when they'll sell out large venues and the only way to get a good seat will be to fork $200+ over to a broker.
Tommy Holmes is good - no - *great*, music. Look out world because Tommy's going to march on in and take no prisoners.
Article by: Candace Daneau
Submitted: April 5th, 2001
Email: candace@thelmusicscene.com
Photo's by: Tommy Holmes
Artists website: http://www.tommyholmes.com
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